Fido Walk, Rock and Run will aid the Vanderburgh Humane Society

The Library Trio includes are Boscoe France on guitar (left), Josh Lancaster, on drums, (center) and Sean O'Brien, bass, (right),
Courtesy of The Library Trio

Man's best friend will enjoy a night out with the family from 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday during the Vanderburgh Humane Society's Fido Walk, Rock and Run.

The event is one of the organization's largest fundraisers and will include more activities this year than in previous years, including a beer garden and performances from live bands.

"We're just trying to promote the event and make it a bigger event," VHS spokeswoman Diane Whipkey said. "After you've done something for so long, it helps to have a few extra things to help spice it up."

The event begins with the pledge walk at 5 p.m., the first time the Fido Walk and Run has been hosted in the evening, Whipkey said.

"The one mile walk is a way to represent what they've done and draw attention. It's a fun way to get people involved," VHS spokeswoman Miranda Knight said. "It's a neat event."

The walk is $20 to register, Knight said. Those interested can register in advance or the day of the event.

"Those registered are encouraged to go out to families, friends, co-workers, and raise money for VHS," she said. "Depending on the level of money they raise, the different prizes they get."

The walk will be the first of many activities for dogs and their owners. The 5-K run will be at 6 p.m.

"We have a wet T-shirt contest, where people will get a wet T-shirt and see how long it takes them to put it on their dogs," Whipkey said. "We will also have a relay race, where the dog is on a leash and they will have something, we don't know what yet, on a spoon, and see how far they can go without it falling off (the spoon)."

Awards for best dressed and best trick will also be awarded, Whipkey said.

One of the performing bands volunteering on Saturday is Library Trio, a group that band member Boscoe France describes as "heavy blues, sort of like Led Zeppelin or Black Sabbath."

"A buddy of ours asked us to help out," he said. "It's a very good cause, so we agreed to do it," he said.

France, who himself has two dogs, said that although the band will not be able to stay the whole time due to another scheduled performance, they will be there long enough to show their support.

"It's good to use something you have, a God-given gift, to help something out," he said. "It's more personable to give your time than money, especially since artists are lacking in money."

In addition to the Library Trio, other bands confirmed for the event are Modern Day Outlaws, Andrea Wirth and the Dirty Little Fun Havers and Brad Lemmons.

Whipkey said all money raised during the event will go back into VHS' general operating fund.

"All humane societies are stand alone, so we have to raise all the money we can," Whipkey said.

If you go:

What: Vanderburgh Humane Society Fido Walk and Run

When: 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday

Where: VHS Campus located at 400 Millner Industrial Drive at the corner of Morgan Avenue and Read Street